Lead by example: Ever Rich Duty Free Chairman Simon Chiang heads Lunar New Year volunteer efforts

Ever Rich Duty Free Chairman Simon Chiang has exemplified the retailer’s ‘Taking from society, giving back to society’ ethos, leading its annual charitable activities ahead of Lunar New Year.

Under his leadership, Ever Rich Duty Free organised nearly 570 volunteer events in 2024, with employees contributing a total of 53,623 hours during their time off.

This milestone highlights the company’s dedication to fostering a ‘benefitting others’ ethos, with staff also encouraging family and friends to participate in meaningful initiatives.

Last Sunday (12 January), close to 100 Ever Rich Duty Free volunteers from multiple departments supported three social welfare organisations, led by Chairmian Chiang. Among them was the Taoyuan Adolescent’s Home, which cares for at-risk youth referred by the Social Affairs Bureau or the courts. Ever Rich Duty Free has been supporting the home since 2011.

Volunteers and youth bonded over activities such as dumpling-making, sweet rice ball preparation and team-building games. Chiang, affectionately known as ‘Grandpa Jiang’, joined the activities.

Volunteers and residents created festive Lunar New Year decorations at the An-Con Mental Retardation Training Services Institution, which supports individuals (with an average age of over 50) with moderate intellectual and physical disabilities. This initiative brought cheer and a sense of community to the centre, reinforcing Ever Rich Duty Free’s commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of vulnerable groups.

The company also extended its support to the Lovefu Children’s Home, which provides care for children aged 2 to 18 who have lost parental guardianship. Last year, the home moved to a new location and ‘Grandpa Jiang’ took time to visit.

This year, volunteers celebrated an early Lunar New Year reunion with the children, engaging in sweet rice ball-making and a festive meal. Chiang distributed red envelopes, symbolising blessings and hope for the coming year.

Chiang noted that Ever Rich Duty Free’s mission extends beyond high-quality products and services to travellers at Taiwan’s gateways. By embracing an altruistic philosophy, the company aims to inspire and uplift communities through its dedication to service.